体育館
taiikukan[ta̠iikɯ̟̊kã̠ɴ]
The Japanese word for gym is 体育館 (taiikukan), though ジム is also common.
Meaning: sporting facility specialized for lifting weights and exercise (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 体育館 | taiikukan | [ta̠iikɯ̟̊kã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| ジム | jimu | [d͡ʑimɯ̟] (narrow) |
Which one should you use?
体育館 (taiikukan) refers to a sports hall, whereas ジム (jimu) is a loanword used specifically for modern fitness centers or commercial gyms dedicated to weightlifting and aerobic exercise.
How do you pronounce it?
taiikukan
Did you know?
- The word 体育 in 体育館 literally translates to 'nourishing the body', blending physical exercise with the concept of holistic growth.
- Many Japanese commercial ジム offer a 'shower and sauna' culture that is more akin to a spa than a standard American locker room.
- In many Japanese schools, the 体育館 is actually the most multi-purpose building on campus, serving as a venue for assemblies, graduations, and even exams.
Examples in context
- 今日はジムに行くの？Are you going to the gym today?This sentence asks about a plan to visit the ジム.Tatoeba #8836520 by bunbuku, translation #2135459 by CM
- ジムには通ってません。I don't go to the gym.This sentence expresses the lack of a habit of going to the ジム.Tatoeba #12593313 by small_snow, translation #11217723 by ddnktr
- ジムに行った方がいいぞ。You need to hit the gym.This sentence suggests that one should go to the ジム.Tatoeba #11471403 by bunbuku, translation #2230302 by Hybrid
- 私は体育館で運動をしています。I exercise at the gym.
- 明日、体育館でバスケットボールの練習があります。Tomorrow, there is basketball practice at the gym.
- 今日はジムに行く予定です。I plan to go to the gym today.
- ジムで友達と一緒にトレーニングします。I will train at the gym with my friends.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their school activities.
- 結衣 Yui陽太、放課後に体育館で会おう。Yōta, hōkago ni taikukan de aō.Yota, let's meet at the gym after school.
- 陽太 Yotaいいね。体育館で何をやるの？Ii ne. Taikukan de nani o yaru no?Sounds good. What are we doing at the gym?
- 結衣 Yuiバスケットボールの練習をしよう。Basukettobōru no renshū o shiyō.Let's practice basketball.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。すぐに準備するよ。Wakatta. Sugu ni junbi suru yo.Got it. I'll get ready right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gym” translations and entries 体育館, ジム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
